Stay Safe During an Outage

Be Prepared for Storms!

Have you updated your contact information with your Co-op? By updating your contact information, you can report your outage, get accurate notifications during outages, and find out when power has been restored. Update your contact information today by calling 1.877.892.0001 or by signing up for SmartHub and updating your contact information in your profile.

To report an outage, use your SmartHub app or call Choptank Electric Cooperative at 1-800-410-4790.

During outage situations visit our Facebook or Twitter feeds for up-to-date information or you can view the Outage Map for other outage information.

If your lights go off during a storm, be prepared for the power outage. Assemble supplies to have on hand rather than rushing around when the storm is coming and waiting in long lines for milk or bread. Rotate your supplies to keep them fresh and use the following checklist to prepare for power outages:

Storm Checklist

Have Plenty of Food

Keep a 3- to 5-day supply of drinking water in plastic bottles. Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day.

Store a manual can opener with enough nonperishable foods for 3 to 5 days. Canned meats, tuna fish and peanut butter are good foods to store. Don’t forget pet foods!

Conserve water by using paper plates and plastic utensils.

Have a camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking.

Stay In Touch

Have a portable,battery-powered radio and alarm clock.

Have one non-portable phone that will work even if power is interrupted.

Plan where to meet and how to communicate with family members if separated.
Keep essential family member contact information near your phone, in your wallet, and in your glove compartment.

Consider purchasing alternative UL-approved heating devices. For example, a fireplace insert or woodstove will keep the heat in your home instead of up the chimney.

Use flashlights and other battery-operated lighting instead of candles.

Keep fire extinguishers fully charged.

Fill your bathtub with water for bathroom use before the storm (if you have a well).

If you are interested in seeing additional storm preparation information, please visit the Red Cross website.

Are you interested in how utilities restore power? This Restoring Power brochure and Lights Back On article have helpful, easy to explations of the process. Don't like to read? Check out this video below, compliments of NRECA:

Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.